Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation due to accelerating deforestation for human colonisation, logging and agriculture, is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Yellow-breasted Antwren (Herpsilochmus axillaris) [XC297018]
by Mauricio Cuellar Ramirez (@Birding.travel) from Quebrada Mishquiyacu, Moyobamba, San Martin, Peru (song)
Yellow-breasted Antwren (Herpsilochmus axillaris) [XC695116]
by id from Pava Negra Nature Reserve - Florencia, Caquet\u00e1., Colombia (song)
Subspecies
Relationships with other species in genus unclear. Plumage distinctions between subspecies aequatorialis and puncticeps poorly understood.
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
senex Bond & Meyer de Schauensee, 1940 - Western and central Andes in western Colombia (Riseralda south to Cauca).
aequatorialis Taczanowski & von Berlepsch, 1885 - Eastern slope of Andes in eastern Ecuador and northern Peru (north of R Marañón).
puncticeps Taczanowski, 1882 - East-central Peru south of R Marañón (south to Junín).
axillaris (Tschudi, 1844) - Eastern slope in south-eastern Peru (Cuzco east to Puno).